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View Full Version : Jon Hood talks about sitting out and his return



blueboss
09-10-2012, 06:04 PM
http://www.coachcal.com/16211/2012/09/old-man-hood-anxious-to-get-back-on-floor/

The ole duffer sounds like his head is in the right spot now hopefully he can get his game to follow

Krank
09-11-2012, 12:42 AM
I find myself, more and more, wanting to predict that Jon Hood WILL contribute more than, seemingly, anyone thinks this season. Perhaps I am just being a homer for the Kentucky kid, maybe I am already missing someone who could fill in where Darius left off (no way that will happen, just my gut talkin'), but I believe it is completely legit to ask...

1. Who will back up Alex Poythress when he needs a breather or gets in foul trouble?

2. If this team is inconsistent shooting the ball from deep and Hood has truly become a very good shooter, why would he not get minutes NECESSARILY?

3. If "poor defense" is the pat answer to the above two questions, please tell me when UK has NOT had at least ONE weak link, defensively, in it's overall rotation (beyond the starting five)?

4. If Jon Hood is THE most experienced Kentucky Wildcat EVER (thus far, LOL) in Coach Calipari's system, can't we imagine that HE, like many others, has improved his D, shooting, body, and positive mindset for games over that time?

kencat
09-11-2012, 02:19 PM
I find myself, more and more, wanting to predict that Jon Hood WILL contribute more than, seemingly, anyone thinks this season. Perhaps I am just being a homer for the Kentucky kid, maybe I am already missing someone who could fill in where Darius left off (no way that will happen, just my gut talkin'), but I believe it is completely legit to ask...

1. Who will back up Alex Poythress when he needs a breather or gets in foul trouble?

2. If this team is inconsistent shooting the ball from deep and Hood has truly become a very good shooter, why would he not get minutes NECESSARILY?

3. If "poor defense" is the pat answer to the above two questions, please tell me when UK has NOT had at least ONE weak link, defensively, in it's overall rotation (beyond the starting five)?4. If Jon Hood is THE most experienced Kentucky Wildcat EVER (thus far, LOL) in Coach Calipari's system, can't we imagine that HE, like many others, has improved his D, shooting, body, and positive mindset for games over that time?

I'm expecting to see a much improved Jon Hood, and that would include his defense. But, even IF he somehow is still a liability on D, his time on the floor could still be a overall plus for the team. For instance, if he gives up 4 pts, but gives you 8, his pro's out weigh his con's. Like you said, beyond the starting five, when haven't we had at least one weak link defensively.

P.S. You have a PM Krank.

blueboss
09-11-2012, 07:19 PM
Sadly the knee injury he suffered is typically exploited on defense with an inability to move the feet laterally and sliding on switches. It's as much mental as it is physical in having the confidence that the knee has completely healed to move without hesitation. He's watched and learned from some of the best in the game if he has the ability to wrap his head around the fact that the knee is as good as ever and he has worked on his quickness he could be the sleeper. He'll also need the knee for lift on his jumper which if he has worked on improving that he must have also gained confidence in the knees strength.

One thing is for sure he is the last of the "Cal's Keepers" and I'll be pulling for him just like with Miller, but I agree with the Krankster in the fact that he's not another Miller.

kencat
09-11-2012, 09:07 PM
Definitely not another Miller bossman. It'll be a long time IMO before we see another Senior, not to mention 6th man, with the skills Darius posessed. He was a lockdown defender and a matchup nightmare for the opposition.

Krank
09-11-2012, 10:42 PM
Yeah, ya know, guys, what I am looking for and hoping for from Hood is that old cliche... "leadership", which does not have to be vocal, does not have to be physical, and it does not have to be obvious to us viewers. It just has to be tangible like hitting big shots or making a big pass or hustling for a loose ball or fighting for that key rebound.

Hood's minutes are about what HE can make of them. He has one last season to secure his legacy... as a proud Kentucky kid in the Blue and White. I like his chances to FIND his leadership role, if you will, and make contributions that will, not only matter to us crazy fans, but to HIM.

Go JON!!!!

Krank
09-11-2012, 10:50 PM
I'm expecting to see a much improved Jon Hood, and that would include his defense. But, even IF he somehow is still a liability on D, his time on the floor could still be a overall plus for the team. For instance, if he gives up 4 pts, but gives you 8, his pro's out weigh his con's. Like you said, beyond the starting five, when haven't we had at least one weak link defensively.

Hey ken, here is how I think about his D, the team's D, and just how games/seasons map out...

We will play so many teams (and NOT just pushovers on the schedule) who will have one, two, even three, depending, guys in their main rotations that are easily guardable by a guy like Jon. When we play teams that are extra quick with penetration or can exploit other perceived physical weaknesses that Jon may have, then he plays less in those games perhaps.

To me, it is not as simple as some make it out to be, i.e., "Coach Cal won't play a defender who isn't extremely strong so Jon won't cut it, end of story". That just does not take into account a LOT of intangibles in a sport most of us know to have plenty. It will be interesting for us fans to see "what he looks like", physically, in scrimmages, exhibitions, and then in real games.

I just have a feeling, but that don't amount to a cup of spittle in a thunderstorm at the end of the day.

kencat
09-12-2012, 05:18 PM
Hey ken, here is how I think about his D, the team's D, and just how games/seasons map out...

We will play so many teams (and NOT just pushovers on the schedule) who will have one, two, even three, depending, guys in their main rotations that are easily guardable by a guy like Jon. When we play teams that are extra quick with penetration or can exploit other perceived physical weaknesses that Jon may have, then he plays less in those games perhaps.

To me, it is not as simple as some make it out to be, i.e., "Coach Cal won't play a defender who isn't extremely strong so Jon won't cut it, end of story". That just does not take into account a LOT of intangibles in a sport most of us know to have plenty. It will be interesting for us fans to see "what he looks like", physically, in scrimmages, exhibitions, and then in real games.

I just have a feeling, but that don't amount to a cup of spittle in a thunderstorm at the end of the day.

In photos I've seen Jon looks to have put on quite a bit of muscle. Of course intangibles can't be seen in a photo, and may not be visible in a box score. They're kinda like what the old boy said about pornography, hard to define, but you know it when you see it. I believe that he and the team will benefit from his experiences, and the perspective he can bring to the table because of them. Be it in practice, or in actual game situations, he can and I believe will be a big plus this season.

P.S. Check your inbox Krank.